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Decide to Sell

Helpful tips on selling your first home

For most homeowners, the process of selling a house usually begins after they’ve made the decision to purchase a new home. The primary motivation behind relocating varies – it could be due to a growing family, a better job opportunity, or something else.

When it comes to selling a home, the goal is to maximize profit potential within a timeframe that accommodates your relocation plans. For first-time home sellers, putting a property on the market can often seem like an overwhelming task, as there are many different factors to consider. But with the right preparation and a smart strategy, you’ll be able to make well-informed decisions that can help you sell your home quickly and for the best price.

Here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind on how to sell your own home:

Set a competitive price

To price your home accurately, you will need the services of an experienced real estate agent who has successfully sold a fair number of listings (preferably within your area). An agent will gather comparable sales in the neighborhood to provide you with an estimated value of your home.

It’s true that you can get a rough estimate of your home’s value through real estate websites, but depending on a reputable listing agent’s knowledge and experience is still the best way to get a more accurate opinion of value.

Stage your home

If you’re looking for the best way to get your house ready to sell, then you may want to consider staging. Staging is included in the services of some agents, otherwise the seller has the option to hire a professional stager or do everything on their own.

In case you decide to do everything yourself, consult your agent on how to prepare your home to make it more enticing to attract prospective buyers.

Look for a unique selling point

Look online for any comparable homes for sale in your area. Determine what makes your home different from the rest, so you have something to highlight in your marketing materials.

Try to remember what attracted you to the house before you bought it, as it might be the very same thing you can use to attract potential buyers.

Host an open house

Not all homes are suitable for an open house, so be sure to ask your agent whether they think it’s a good idea. If your home is attractive, priced competitively, and is in a high-traffic area, then hosting an open house might be a smart move. All you need then is to pay attention to additional details and refine your execution to increase the odds of landing a good offer – perhaps even on the spot.

Declutter and depersonalize

One of the best ways to prepare a home for a sale is to depersonalize and declutter. You want prospective buyers to picture themselves living in your home, which means you need to clear your home of any family photos, collectibles, and other personal items that may draw too much attention. It can be difficult for someone else to visualize themselves living in your home if you have too much of your own things scattered around.

Create an “experience”

Your main goal is to turn your home into a place other people would love to live in.

You can take a hint from the hospitality industry by focusing on the experience. This can be achieved by adding simple touches like fresh flowers, fluffed pillows in the bedrooms, playing soft music, and adding decor that shows how much you care for the home.

Be willing to adjust when it comes to showings

The thought of having strangers walking through your living spaces and checking out your closets or kitchen drawers can feel a bit too intrusive for some people. In case you’re uncomfortable with the idea, scheduling a trip out of town during the first weekend your home becomes available on the market may be something you want to consider.

You must be willing to allow potential buyers and their agents to explore your home on their own in order for you to sell it.

Take a look at your online listing

Be sure to review your listing after it’s posted online. Make sure the information is complete and accurate, and notify your agent immediately in case it needs to be edited.

While your agent will do his or her best to ensure the accuracy of information on your listing, you know your own home better than anyone, which means you have the final say on what appears on your online listing.

Looking to buy a house in San Ramon, CA? Call Steve Swepston today at 925.248.1111 or send an email to steveswepston(at)gmail(dotted)com to find exceptional homes for sale in the area!